SANTA ANA – Police have arrested the driver in an early Thursday morning crash that left a 23-year-old passenger dead, officials said.

Santa Ana resident Ulises Mendoza, 20, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and gross vehicular manslaughter after being treated for minor injuries at a hospital, said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department. Three other passengers – all 18 years old – were also injured.

Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash, which took place around 1:30 a.m. in the 900 block of North Fairview Drive, Bertagna said.

The 1993 Honda Civic was speeding southbound on Fairview when Mendoza lost control on a curve, he said. The hatchback hit a fence on the west side of the street, then spun around and crashed backward into a light pole, he said.

The man who died was sitting in the middle of the back seat, Bertagna said. The male passenger to his right was in critical condition, and the front female passenger was in serious but stable condition after being partially ejected. Another teen girl was released from the hospital after being treated for minor injuries.

Orange County Coroner’s office officials late Thursday identified Oliver Martinez-Iriarte of Santa Ana as the man killed in the crash.

Ulises Mendoza, 20, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and gross vehicular manslaughter. COURTESY SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
A 23-year-old man died early Thursday morning after the car he was a passenger in spun out of control and hit a light pole around 1:30 a.m. in the 900 block of North Fairview Drive in Santa Ana, police said. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash, according to officials. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
A passenger died and two other passengers were badly hurt in a crash early Thursday in Santa Ana. The driver, 20, was expected to survive his injuries. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
A female is transported to the hospital after a fatal accident in Santa Ana early Thursday. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
A 23-year-old man died early Thursday morning after the car he was a passenger in spun out of control and hit a light pole. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
A hat lies in the street after a crash in Santa Ana left one person dead. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER
Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash, police said. KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER

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